30x9.5r15 on 1997 Ranger 2WD?

[subterranean]

Well, I'm on the line about one last thing with the tire/wheel issue...I have a 1997 Ranger 2WD, no lift, no tweaks. I'll be putting the 15x7 wheels on and will most likely be going with 235/75r15 BUT I really want to go with the next size 30x9.5r15. I've taken in all the information listed on sizing charts and people's ideas on them maybe fitting and it's all been a huge help. Do you think that a tire place would mount a 30x9.5r15 so that I could see if it would actually work or is that a joke? I really just want to order the 30's but then if they don't fit I'm screwed, should I just go with the damn 235's? Anybody out there actually have a 1997 2WD Ranger bone stock with 30's on it without a problem? I really appreciate the help!

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

ive seen them on stock height 2WD's and they fit.
they fillup the whole wheel well but they fit ok.
check this, i think there is a stock 2wd with 30"s there
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11523

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67485

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61851

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58318

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50648

i think that might help, there is a thread about 30"s on stock 2wd with lots of pics, but i cant find it right now

 

[Original_Ranger84]

A shop should let you test fit one tire and make sure it clears and all, they want to sell you the tires and if that helps them then they will do it...

 

[subterranean]

Yeah, that completely makes sense...but alas now I will have to wait for almost 3 weeks for "tire day", Quadratec has the wheels I need backordered for 2 -3 weeks!! So I guess that will give me time to plan some more mods...I really think I'm getting hooked on making this a real project!

 

[TimV]

Just so you know, 235/75/15's and 30/9.5/15 are almost identical tire sizes.

 

[nate09]

Just so you know, 235/75/15's and 30/9.5/15 are almost identical tire sizes.

indeed they are. a 235/75/15 is just under 29" tall and about 9.25" wide. now this doesnt account for actual specs of the tires but you should have no problem running a 30" tire on your ranger.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

240/80, thats a 30" tire
235/75, thats a 28.9" tire
i think that a leveling on the front is all u need to fit em properly

 

[mp3deviant721]

Look up ForOffRoadDriving's truck. He has 30 in tires on stock suspension I believe. He has the same generation truck as you as well.

 

[timpat92855]

You should be fine with 30s. I fit 31s on my 97 with no problems at all.

 

[PlumCrazy]

235/75-15 on the front and 30x9.50-15 on the rear. The truck had a 1" spacer up front, but they would fit without it no problem.

-PlumCrazy

EDIT: The 1" spacer was probably canceled out by the heavy bumper anyway

 

[craveman85]

i had 31's on a stock 2wd 95 ranger put a set of twist in spring spacers for about an extra lift with no rubbing unless i did a 3 point turn

 

[subterranean]

235/75-15 on the front and 30x9.50-15 on the rear. The truck had a 1" spacer up front, but they would fit without it no problem.

-PlumCrazy

EDIT: The 1" spacer was probably canceled out by the heavy bumper anyway

Your truck looks great by the way..I don't think I've seen that color on a Ranger..nice, that's cool that it looks like I can get away with the 30's, any reason you have the slightly smaller wheel in the front, I've seen a few setups like this now....is it for better turning radius without chance of rubbing or just for the look?

By the way..what tires were you running on the rear? They look like something I might be putting on.

 

[subterranean]

You should be fine with 30s. I fit 31s on my 97 with no problems at all.

You fit 31" tires on your 97 with no lift or spacing? That seems almost impossible...no? That would be great if I could fit 31's but I think there would be some major rubbing.

 

[PlumCrazy]

There was no reason for smaller tires up front really. It used to have 14" rims up front and 15" in the back, but it just looked silly.

-PlumCrazy

 

[subterranean]

I'm still a go with the 30x9.5r15's....but while I'm waiting for my 15x7 rims to come in (they are on backorder), I can't help but wonder if I should save myself the trouble and go with a 15x8 wheel (which are more plentifull in the style I want and that means no waiting!). I was advised that I shouldn't go with the 15x8 wheels with a 235/75r15 tire because it might look odd, but since I'm going up a size ever so slightly I'm wondering if I could get away with it? Plus it would leave me open to more upgrades later on with that wider wheel. The only real problem I see is that I might have more of a chance of rubbing with that slightly wider wheel, since the tires are going to be a snug fit without the lift? I plan on lifting about 2 - 3" and with bigger tires later on, but for a year or two I'll be ridin' with this setup that I'm thinking of here. So yes, 30x9.5r15's on a 15x8 wheel, think it will work with no lift? The setup is a 1997 Ranger, 2WD, 4 banger. Thanks in advance, all of the advice I'm getting on here is really shaping my plans!